Arsenal technical director favours Vieira as they hunt for a new manager (Times)

Arsenal technical director Edu is reportedly eyeing up his former teammate Patrick Vieira for the vacant manager's position at the club.

Edu, 41, had a four year stint with the Gunners where he played alongside then club captain Vieira in the record breaking 2003/04 invincibles team.

And now the Brazilian has identified the French midfielder as a possible replacement for Unai Emery, who was sacked in November, according to The Times.

Vieira is currently manager of Ligue 1 side Nice and is undergoing a lackluster season in the French top-flight. His side are currently 13th in the table with seven wins and eight losses.

The Frenchman has since confirmed his interest in the job saying: 'You know, a club that you spend nine years in, cannot leave you unmoved.'

Vieira is not the only former player who has been linked with the job, however, as Mikel Arteta is still in the picture to be offered the job and step down as assistant manager at Manchester City.

Freddie Ljungberg - another member of the 'invincible' title winners at Arsenal - is currently in interim charge at the Emirates but has failed to turn the club's fortunes thus far.

Former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac has also recently expressed his interest in the job and is expected to attend their next match in the stands.

The Gunners need to assure that the next appointment is the right one, as both the fans and players seemed to have lost some faith at this stage of the season.

Arsenal have dropped into the bottom half of the Premier League table and face West Ham United on Monday night